This article originally appeared in The Bar Examiner print edition, Summer 2026 (Vol. 95, No. 2), pp. 25–27.
The July 2026 debut administration of the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination (NextGen UBE) marks the beginning of a multiyear transition period in US bar admissions testing. Some jurisdictions will begin administering the NextGen UBE in July 2026, whereas others will continue administering the current legacy UBE through February 2028.
During this phased rollout period, candidates, law schools, and jurisdictions may have questions about how the two exams will coexist, how score portability will work, and what candidates should consider when deciding where and when to test.
This FAQ addresses some of the most common questions about the transition period of concurrent legacy and NextGen UBE administrations.
What is the NextGen UBE?
The NextGen UBE is the next generation of the Uniform Bar Examination developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. The exam is designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for competent entry-level practice in today’s legal profession.
Launching in July 2026, the NextGen UBE is a fully integrated, computer-based exam that focuses on foundational lawyering skills and a focused set of legal concepts and principles identified through NCBE-led extensive legal practice analysis and research.
The exam includes three primary categories of question types:
- Selected-response questions
- Integrated question sets
- Performance tasks
Additional information about the exam, including content scope, test structure, and jurisdiction adoption status, is available on the NCBE website at ncbex.org/exams/nextgen.
What is the legacy UBE?
The legacy UBE is the current version of the Uniform Bar Examination and consists of three separate test components developed by NCBE:
- Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)
- Multistate Essay Examination (MEE)
- Multistate Performance Test (MPT)
Administering the legacy UBE means a jurisdiction participates in score portability. In total, 42 US jurisdictions participate in the UBE compact and provide examinees with a portable score that may be transferred between participating jurisdictions, subject to each jurisdiction’s admissions policies and score transfer requirements.
Why are both exams being administered during the same period?
The transition to the NextGen UBE is occurring through a phased jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction rollout rather than a simultaneous nationwide transition to provide and respect jurisdictional autonomy.
This phased approach allows jurisdictions to adopt the new exam on implementation timelines that align with their operational readiness, policy decisions, technological preparation, and administrative processes. It also allows NCBE and jurisdictions to support implementation thoughtfully while maintaining continuity for candidates during the transition period.
As a result, some jurisdictions will administer the NextGen UBE beginning in July 2026; others will continue administering the legacy UBE until they transition to the new exam or until the final legacy UBE administration in February 2028.
Will jurisdictions offer both the legacy UBE and the NextGen UBE at the same administration?
No. Jurisdictions will administer either the legacy UBE or the NextGen UBE for a given administration, but not both simultaneously.
Once a jurisdiction adopts the NextGen UBE, it will discontinue administration of the legacy UBE and its component tests.
When will the legacy UBE be retired?
NCBE will continue offering the legacy UBE, including its components (the MBE, MEE, and MPT), through the February 2028 administration.
Beginning with the July 2028 administration, NCBE will offer only the NextGen UBE and the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination.
Will scores from both exams be portable?
Yes. During the transition period, jurisdictions may choose to accept transferred scores from the legacy UBE, the NextGen UBE, or both, subject to each jurisdiction’s admissions policies and score transfer rules.
Because individual jurisdictions determine portability policies, candidates should carefully review the requirements of any jurisdiction where they may seek admission.
Will the NextGen UBE replace the legacy UBE for score portability purposes?
Yes. Over time, the NextGen UBE will become the primary basis for portable bar examination scores among participating jurisdictions as the legacy UBE sunsets.
However, legacy UBE scores will remain valid for transfer during each jurisdiction’s applicable score validity period, even after that jurisdiction transitions to the NextGen UBE.
Is the NextGen UBE easier than the legacy UBE?
No. Both the legacy and the NextGen UBE are designed to support valid and reliable decisions regarding minimum competence for entry-level legal practice.
Although the exams differ in structure, question types, and content emphasis, both exams are developed through rigorous assessment design, research, and psychometric processes intended to ensure the exam appropriately measures the knowledge and skills required for licensure.
How will the NextGen UBE differ from the legacy UBE experience for candidates?
The NextGen UBE differs from the legacy UBE in several ways, including:
- A fully integrated exam structure rather than separate test components
- Greater emphasis on foundational lawyering skills used in practice
- A narrower and more focused doctrinal scope
- New question formats designed to better reflect real-world legal tasks
- Fully computer-based administration
At the same time, both exams continue to measure whether candidates demonstrate the minimum competence necessary for entry into the legal profession.
Where can candidates find the most up-to-date information?
Candidates should consult:
- Their jurisdiction’s bar admissions office
- The NCBE website, especially ncbex.org/exams/nextgen
- NCBE’s jurisdiction policy decision resources, especially ncbex.org/jurisdiction-nextgen-ube-policy-decisions
- The Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements
Because jurisdiction implementation timelines and portability policies may continue to evolve during the transition period, candidates are encouraged to review official sources regularly.
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